Be the best parent you can be without self-sacrifice

It’s mid-afternoon, and the house is in chaos.

The kids are screaming, demanding your attention, and the pressure of the day is mounting. You just got back from work, did quick grocery shopping and picked up your kids from kindergarten and school. They are hungry, you are hungry, it takes too long to cook a meal.

You feel the stress building, your patience wearing thin, and a desperate need for just a moment of peace.

There are so many moments like this in your motherhood, when you just want to press a pause. You know that self-care is the answer, but it seems impossible to find even a single minute for yourself in your life.

What can you do right now, in this very moment to take care of you so you can go on and take care of everyone else with strength, love and resilience you all deserve?

First,

acknowledge that feeling overwhelmed is completely normal. Parenting is a demanding job, and it’s okay to feel like you need a break. Recognizing this need is the first step towards taking action. When you’re in the midst of chaos and feel like you’ve had enough, it’s crucial to have a simple, immediate strategy to regain your calm.

Breathe,

When you find yourself at the brink of overwhelm, the one immediate self-care step you can take is a deep breathing exercise. This might sound too simple, but deep breathing can have a profound effect on your mind and body, helping to calm your nerves and restore a sense of control.

How to Do It:

If possible, step into another room or even just a quiet corner. If you can’t leave the room, try to create a mental barrier between you and the noise around you. You can even invite your children to repeat what you do, they might be interested.
Close your eyes to help yourself focus inward and block out external distractions.
Take a slow, deep breath in through your nose, counting to four as you fill your lungs with air.
Hold the breath for a count of four. This pause helps to reset your mind.
Exhale slowly through your mouth, counting to four as you release the air. Imagine the stress and tension leaving your body with each exhale. It's best if you imagine the specific object. I like thinking about a balloon that I blow putting all the negative feelings inside and then let it go into the air carrying up all I want to get rid of.
Repeat this process for a few minutes. Even just five deep breaths can make a significant difference in how you feel.

Your own Micro Moments

Incorporating these micro moments of self-care can help you stay strong, emotionally stable, and resilient. The more you practice taking these small breaks, the more you’ll find they become a natural part of your routine. These brief pauses can help you recharge and return to your children with a calmer, more centered presence. And additional value is that you show them how you manage your stress and emotions so they can learn that from you.

Remember, self-care doesn’t always require long stretches of uninterrupted time. Even in the midst of a busy day, you can find moments to nurture yourself. Start with something as simple as deep breathing, and you’ll see how these small acts of self-care can make a big difference in your overall well-being. By taking these micro moments for yourself, you’ll be better equipped to handle the demands of parenting with grace and patience.

Have you tried deep breathing exercises during moments of overwhelm? How do you find brief moments of self-care in your day?

One immediate self-care step